Canada’s skies are opening to new drone rules in 2025

Transport Canada’s updated regulations for drone pilots, set to be released early this year, are causing quite a buzz in the industry. Ian Wills, president of Coastal Drone in Langley, B.C., is thrilled about the new rules that will lift restrictions on longer-distance flights for remotely piloted aircraft (RPA).

“The entire drone space is exploding,” Wills said. “They’re evolving and getting more powerful and more capable, empowering people to do things that we can’t even imagine yet.” The new regulations will open up opportunities for large-scale drone deliveries, aerial inspections, vast overhead mapping, and inspections — possibilities that were previously limited by regulations.

The new rules, set to take effect in the fall, will simplify the process for pilots to take to the skies without the need for case-by-case application to Transport Canada for each flight. This will allow for more complex drone operations, especially in low-risk beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) scenarios. Ryan Coates, executive director of remotely piloted aircraft systems for Transport Canada, explained that the updated regulations will also include stricter rules for pilot certification and updated weight limits for drones.

One of the key benefits of the new regulations is the potential to provide services to remote communities that were previously out of reach. The BVLOS rules will be more lenient in less-populated areas, opening up opportunities for drones to be used in agriculture, industry, and public safety in these regions.

The regulations are a result of the rapid advancement of drone technology and the industry’s growing capabilities. Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace in Ontario, noted that the industry has been pushing for these changes to eliminate administrative burdens and align regulations with technological advancements.

While the new regulations will allow for more freedom in drone operations, pilots will still need to be certified and have drones equipped with technology to detect and avoid other air traffic. Drones will be limited to flying over sparsely populated areas in uncontrolled airspace at low altitudes to ensure safety.

Commercial drone pilots like Lynch see the new regulations as a game-changer, with potential applications in various industries such as oil and gas, agriculture, and healthcare. For Dr. John Pawlovich, a family physician and chair in rural health at the University of British Columbia, the new rules hold promise for improving access to medical supplies in remote communities.

Pawlovich was part of a pilot project that used drones to deliver medicine and supplies to Stellat’en First Nation in Northern B.C. The success of this project, which involved over 1,200 test flights, demonstrates the potential for drones to enhance access to essential services in remote areas.

Overall, the new regulations are set to revolutionize the drone industry in Canada, opening up opportunities for innovation and benefiting both industry and communities in remote regions.